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FLEA PRODUCTS… Toxic To Your Pet?

Are you using one of the popular, ‘applied monthly’ flea products? Think about it…it can kill fleas because it is a form of poison. Some products contain strychnine. Others have the active ingredient, imidacloprid a nicotine-like substance which is rated as “moderately toxic” acutely by the WHO and the EPA and which causes thyroid lesions in rats. Is that really something you want to apply to your dog between his/her shoulders once a month to be absorbed by his/her skin until it’s able to also poison every flea that comes into contact with him/her?

There are wonderful, affordable essential oil combinations made especially for repelling fleas. Most contain oil of lemon and eucalyptus- very pleasant smelling.

If your dog does pick up fleas from another animal, a simple decoction of lemon peel poured over the dog will kill the fleas instantly. I love that solution! I mean, I’m not a scientist, but my sense is that lemon peel probably doesn’t cause cancer!

Diatomaceous earth and cedar chips are inexpensive, natural remedies for flea infested areas of the home or yard. Both can be found online.

This blog is contributed by Nadine M. Rosin, author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood http://www.TheHealingArtOfPetParenthood.com

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 12:26 am and is filed under Cancer, Canine Cancer, Death of your dog, Dogs, Dogs Health, dogs health and wellness, Loving your Pet, Pets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 Responses to “FLEA PRODUCTS… Toxic To Your Pet?”

  1. FLEA PRODUCTS… Toxic To Your Pet? | health Says:
    June 23rd, 2009 at 5:10 am

    [...] Original post: FLEA PRODUCTS… Toxic To Your Pet? [...]

  2. Sandy Says:
    June 23rd, 2009 at 6:06 am

    I hate using flea meds on my dog, so you just rub lemon peels all over? Sorry if I sound a little stupid, I’m just not sure how you apply these lemon peels and how often do you need to do it? Thanks.

  3. Kat Bradeis Says:
    June 24th, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    Does this also work for mosquito and ticks?

  4. Gary D Nice Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 10:05 pm

    @Sandy: Thanks for reading my blog and sending in your query. Yes, I would say it is even better if you can use home made citrus oils. I’ll tell you how to make it. First boil the water. Then pour it over sliced, unpeeled lemon. Make small incisions on the lemon’s skin. This will release more juice from the lemon. Let the mixture soak overnight. Next morning, you can sponge your pet with the oil. This will kill fleas right away. You can apply it as often as you want. I assure you that it won’t damage you pet’s skin. So happy applying.

  5. Gary D Nice Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 10:15 pm

    @Kat Bradeis: Yes lemon also works for mosquitoes and ticks. But if you wish to get better results then go for lemon balm. You will easily get it at a drug store. Mix it with warm water and then pour it into a bottle and spray. Some people also grow this lemon balm plant in their backyard. So, if you happen to be one of them, you can pluck out a few leaves and boil them in water. Empty the solution into a bottle and spray.

    Another very effective home made repellant is lemon grass. You can buy Thai lemon grass from garden centers and supermarkets. They grow really fast. You can break a stalk and peel off the outer leaves, until you find the scallion-like stem at the base. Bend the stem, and then rub it hard between your palms. It will soon become a pulpy, juicy mass. Rub this all over your dog whenever you feel there is a need and get instant results.

  6. Buddy T Doxie Says:
    July 11th, 2009 at 11:52 pm

    Well I shoer this to my hoomad & he is going to go and get some lemons & start boling them……
    Thanks for the tip… Buddy

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